Technology changing lives in Porirua
Digital Porirua Trust Launch Booklet
Digital Porirua Trust Launch Photos
Digital Porirua Trust Launch Video Footage
Today, Hewlett-Packard and the Digital Porirua Trust announce an initiative that will dramatically improve Porirua community’s access to essential new technologies.
The Digital Porirua Trust has used a $400,000USD education grant from Hewlett-Packard to build a network of community access points in church halls, marae, community centres and schools within Porirua. The centres are designed so people feel safe to explore new ideas and develop themselves through the use of technology.
The community access points form part of the wider Digital Porirua project. It recognises the important part technology plays in connecting our communities, helping people work together, increasing business productivity and helping individuals reach their aspirations.
"Digital Porirua aims to make access to technology easy: Whether it's meeting the broadband needs of our high tech industries, better connecting our communities with the use of community portals, or bringing the benefits of technology within the reach of all in our community," says Dr Roger Blakeley, Trust Chair and CEO Porirua City Council.
“With the help of Hewlett-Packard, we are on a clear path to achieving our goal to become a digital city. The Digital Porirua Trust has been created to administer the grant and oversee the community activity on a day-to-day basis.”
“It is exciting to see access to technology having such a profound influence on the lives of people from all ages in our city. With many children using the centres to do their homework while retired community members learn how to keep in touch with friends and family online.”
One group of children is setting up its own internet radio station from the Porirua Gospel Church so they can share their creativity with over 800 homes within their community.
Hewlett-Packard made the decision to focus the entire grant on one deserving community with a clear goal of effecting considerable change to the way everyone within that community used technology.
“The Digital Porirua Trust received the grant because Porirua could already demonstrate its commitment to becoming a digital city through ICT infrastructure development and community programme initiatives,” says Brent Kendrick, General Manager, Personal Systems Group, Hewlett-Packard New Zealand.
“The Digital Porirua Trust’s vision for its community was very compelling for HP, particularly alongside our own commitment to helping New Zealand businesses, communities and individuals grow through the use of HP’s innovative products and services.”
“HP is proud of to be part of a community project of this magnitude.”
About the HP Education programme
The 2008 Education Grant from HP is worth $400,000USD – comprising approximately $55,000 cash and $345,000 of HP products – including servers, desktop and laptop computers and printers.
HP continually re-focuses its strategy to align its social and community investment more closely with its business objectives as they evolve.
For example, In 2007 three out of thirteen education grants (Technology for Teaching grants) awarded across the Asia Pacific region went to New Zealand projects, and included:
- Brooklyn Primary School, Wellington: Enhancing student numeracy capability through the use of digital learning objects on tablet PCs.
- Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology: Building and using interactive engagement software.
- Massey University, Palmerston North: Fostering integrative learning using mobile learning technologies.
- In 2006 a Technology for Teaching grant was awarded to Canterbury University.
- In 2003 the University of Auckland received an HP mobility grant.
HP has a long history of commitment to community investment. The company's founders demonstrated that commitment when recording their first charitable contribution in 1940, the first year HP made a profit. Over the past 20 years, HP has donated more than $1 billion in cash and HP products to schools, colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) around the world. Over the last five years, HP has invested more than $277 million in communities worldwide. During fiscal year 2006, HP contributed nearly $46 million worldwide to help students, teachers and nonprofits reap the benefits of technology in learning, in building prosperity, and in information.
About Hewlett Packard
Hewlett Packard, the world’s largest technology company, simplifies the technology experience for consumers and businesses with a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure. More information about HP is available on their website.
© 2009 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. To the extent permitted by law, HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.